TRIBUTES have been paid to former Guisborough mayor John Christie, who died on Christmas Day after a short illness.

Mourners packed Guisborough Salvation Army citadel at a service of thanksgiving yesterday.

Mr Christie, who was 71, was a member of the Labour Party for many years and was Guisborough's first Labour Mayor. Originally from Scotland, moving to Cleveland in the 1960s, he worked as a fitter and turner at Teesport and for ICI.

He was a town councillor for eight years and became mayor of Guisborough in 1998, before retiring.

His wife, Frances, was Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's first mayor.

She said: "He was full of life, very positive and committed to his community. He told me not to wear black at the funeral, he wanted everyone to be cheerful.

"He was such a funny man, full of jokes and took life by the horns. He was a very well-liked man. Everyone sang You'll Never Walk Alone at the service and we would have done Liverpool proud.

"He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and none of us could have wanted for anything more."

Former councillor and Guisborough Labour Party secretary, Harry Tout, said: "John was a good chap and was always in the thick of political arguments, as we all were.

He took part in most things, from debates to elections. I helped him campaign during his own election, which he won. He was a Labour supporter right up to his death."

Mr Christie died at Guisborough General Hospital on Christmas Day. A private cremation was held yesterday followed by a service of thanksgiving at the Salvation Army citadel.

Mr Christie is survived by his wife, and daughters, Mildred and Fiona